How many teams can apply from a single campus?

Applications are not limited, but participation from a single college is limited to three people (including the members of the leadership team).

What if I don't have a team? Can I apply by myself?

Applications from individuals or two-person teams will be considered, but preference will be given to three-person teams from a single campus with a diversity of disciplines represented. Such a team will maximize the impact of the seminar on the home campus—particularly in terms of the development of integrative, cross-disciplinary curricular resources—and also provide the broadest base of expertise for the seminar group. If you need help forming a team, speak with the FaCE Liaison on your campus.

How will participants be selected?

The Selection Committee will choose the strongest applications based on their potential both for contributing to and learning from the seminar, and for using the seminar to design and test cross-disciplinary curricular innovations for upper-level students on their home campus. The Committee will also review applications as a whole to select a group that is balanced among the three disciplinary divisions (arts and humanities; social sciences; and natural sciences and math) and among ACM colleges.

I am a retired/first-year faculty member. Can I apply for the seminar?

While any faculty members who will be teaching in the 2012-13 academic year may apply, the seminar will be best suited for mid-career faculty, as they will develop new, cross-disciplinary expertise in the topic and new curricular elements on their home campus.

What are the costs?

All costs related to the seminar—including travel, lodging, meals, and supplies—will be covered in full by the Mellon grant. In addition, faculty participants will receive a $2,500 honoraria following full participation in the work of the seminar and the completion of curricular projects in the ensuing academic year.

What type of follow-up activities are required?

One of the key goals of SAIL is the development of courses and modules that will strengthen the liberal arts perspective for upper-level undergraduates. All seminar participants will be expected to develop integrative coursework, based on the experience of the seminar, for juniors and seniors on their home campus during the 2012-13 academic year. Honoraria will be released following the completion of these curricular projects.

I'm interested in the SAIL seminars but not in the 2012 topic. Should I apply anyway?

The Considering Animals Seminar is the first in a series of five summer seminars, with a new topic and location each year. Years 2 and 4 of the program will take place in international locations; Years 3 and 5 will again be located in the US. It is unlikely that a faculty member would be selected to participate more than once, so you should wait for a seminar topic that better matches your interests.

Will there be a rigid schedule of events? Can I plan to do my own thing at any point during the seminar?

Most of the residency in Washington, DC, will consist of structured activities and field trips, and seminar participants will be expected to take part in all scheduled activities during the seminar; free time will be included on some evenings. In the months leading up to the seminar, the schedule of activities and events may be adjusted based on the individual interests and areas of expertise of the seminar group.

Can I bring my family?

No. The seminars are designed to provide a faculty development opportunity for ACM faculty members. The residency in Washington, DC, will include full days of scheduled events and classroom time, and participants may be expected to complete readings in preparation for the following days' activities.